The First Nations Strategic Advisory Committee is a representative national group of people from six different First Nations/Countries, who bring their lived experiences and knowledges of being a First Nations person to guide EDO in its areas of work which involve First Nations peoples and communities, including internally. The Committee is highly respected within EDO.
EOIs can be made at any time, and are reviewed when a Committee vacancy arises. You can read more about the First Nations Strategic Advisory Committee and the EOI process here. If you’d prefer to give your EOI over the phone, please call 1800 626 239 and press 4 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm AEST).
Our First Nations Strategic Advisory Committee members are:
Scott Franks
Wonnarua (NSW)
(Chairperson)
Scott Franks is the Business Development Manager for Yamari Ochre Signs and Owner and CEO of Tocomwall Pty Limited, a supply nation certified company specialising in heritage and environment (based in Sydney) that has national reach. Over the years Scott has held community positions such as Chairperson of the Wonnarua Local Aboriginals Lands Council in the Hunter valley, Education and Cell Watch committee member for Ungooroo Aboriginal Corporation and been a member of the NSW Rural Fire Service for 20 years. The NSW Land & Environment Court has recognised Scott as an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Specialist, due to his extensive in-field Aboriginal archaeological field survey, excavation and site interpretation experience.
With project management experience spanning straightforward due diligence work to complex environmental projects for State and Federal Government Departments, Scott has been instrumental in developing and driving outcomes for broader Aboriginal community outcomes and employment. Born and raised on the lands of the Wonnarua (People from the Hills and Plains) in the Hunter Valley NSW, Scott is now based on Dharawal country (Sutherland Shire NSW).
Conrad Bilney
Kokotha and Southern Pitjantjatjarra – South Australia (Nullabor)
and central Australia
(Deputy Chairperson)
Conrad Bilney, a skilled researcher in Business (BbusStud) and Environmental Management (MenvMgt) degrees, has discovered new edible insect species through DNA barcoding and Aboriginal knowledge. His work in documenting insect consumption across cultures helps preserve this information for future generations. He is also an advocate for environmental protection, wildlife conservation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights, and ethical sustainability.
He has published research in reputable journals, including “The Bush Coconut (scale insect gall) as Food at Kiwirrkurra, Western Australia” (Journal of Insects as Food and Feed, 2016). Another publication, “Current issues involved with the identification and nutritional value of wood grubs consumed by Australian Aborigines” (Insect Science, December 2016), adds to his journal list. The “Journal of Ethnobiology” also includes an acknowledgement of his contributions in the “Edible Insect Larvae in Kaytetye: Their Nomenclature and Significance” by Si & Turpin (2017).
Conrad’s work extends beyond research, with a strong presence in public speaking as a guest speaker for Ecological Society of Australia conferences in Adelaide and Brisbane, particularly integrating DNA gene sequencing with Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge.
Waniki Alofipo
Malu Kiwai, Boigu Island, Zenadh Kes (Torres Strait Islands)
and Papuan storyteller
Waniki Alofipo is a Zenadh Kes and Papuan Meanjin-based storyteller. She is an organiser and digital storyteller at 350 Australia, a non-profit organisation moving Australia beyond fossil fuels.
Waniki acts as campaign support for the landmark Torres Strait Climate Justice case ‘Our Islands Our Home’. She is passionate about amplifying the voices of those on the frontlines of the climate crisis through storytelling.
Jayne Christian
Baramadagal, Dharug (NSW)
Jayne Christian is a Baramadagal (Burramattagal) woman of the Dharug Nation, now known as the Western Sydney area, through the Reid / Goldspink family line.
Jayne was raised on Wiradjuri Country where she has kinship connections. Jayne established a career as a social justice lawyer after working as an Associate in the Federal Circuit Court. She is a cultural practitioner in the art of weaving and has exhibited her work internationally.
Jayne holds multiple advisory positions, including to the Treaty Council. She is passionate about nation re-building, Caring for Country and foregrounding Indigenous Sovereignty in the way we tell stories in public spaces. Jayne is glad to be working with the Environmental Defenders Office where a tangible difference can be made to the way Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities can be supported to exercise their cultural responsibilities with Country.
Ganur Maynard
Kamilaroi (NSW)
Ganur practises criminal law at the Aboriginal legal aid service in Darwin, where he defends summary and indictable charges in the Local and Supreme Courts and manages the firm’s circuit courts in Maningrida, Ramingining, Jabiru, Gunbalanya and Borroloola. Prior to this, he represented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients in civil claims arising from mistreatment by police and corrections in the Northern Territory.
Ganur qualified as a lawyer at a top-tier law firm in Sydney and then worked as an Associate at the Federal Court of Australia in Melbourne. He holds a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours and a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours and the University Medal in History from the University of New South Wales. He has published research and presented papers on a broad range of Indigenous legal issues, including the application of the requirements of free, prior and informed consent to Australian lands and waters subject to native title.
